2016 Kia Sportage MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Kia Sportage is rated 21 to 23 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Kia Sportage · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

23MPG combined

21 city 28 highway

$2,700 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $2,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,700 to $2,950 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2015.

Fewer complaints than a typical Sportage year

The 2016 drew 13 owner complaints in its first three years, against 36 for a typical Sportage year. It is not picked as a best year: it has a recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside until it is repaired.

Years to avoid: 2017 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Sportage year ranked The 2016 Sportage's recalls and problems

Every 2016 Sportage version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Sportage FWD	23 mpg	21 / 28	$2,700
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Sportage SX FWD	22 mpg	20 / 26	$2,850
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Sportage AWD	22 mpg	19 / 26	$2,850
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Sportage SX AWD	21 mpg	19 / 25	$2,950

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,609	$217	$13,043
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,727	$227	$13,636
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,727	$227	$13,636
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,857	$238	$14,286

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Kia Sportage MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 22 to 28 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 28 since 2023. Hybrid: 42 to 43 mpg (2023 to 2026); highest in 2023.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2016: gas 23 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Kia Sportage best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	22	–
2011	25	–
2012	25	–
2013	25	–
2014	23	–
2015	23	–
2016	23	–
2017	26	–
2018	26	–
2019	25	–
2020	26	–
2021	26	–
2022	26	–
2023	28	43
2024	28	43
2025	28	43
2026	28	42

Every Sportage year's ratings in one table

How the 2016 Sportage compares

2016 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	32 mpg	26 mpg	$1,950
Honda CR-V Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Outback Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Forester Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Escape Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Kia Sportage This page Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$3,350

Kia Sportage vs Hyundai TucsonMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2016 Sportage recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 134 owner complaints for the 2016 Sportage.

Owners most often describe engine failure (21 complaints, 16%), then stalling (15). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 to 5 stars, depending on the version.

See the 2016 Sportage recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2016 Kia Sportage's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 2.4L 4-cyl gets 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 22 with AWD.

Does the 2016 Kia Sportage need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Kia Sportage version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 Sportage's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 23 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.